CPAR (visual arts)

• National Capital Region artists

  • Fernando Amorsolo
  • Cesar Legaspi
  • Hernando Ocampo
  • Arturo Luz
  • Jose T. Joya
  • Benedicto Cabrera
  • Federico Aguilar Alcuaz
• Fernando Amorsolo was born in Paco, Manila and was the first to be awarded as National Artist in the Philippines. He was known for his backlighting technique where figures are seen aglow on canvas. His major works include Maiden in a Stream (1921), El Ciego (1928), Dalagang Bukid (1936), The Meztiza (1943), Planting Rice (1946), and Sunday Morning Going to Town (1958)
• Cesar Legaspi was a pioneer "Neo-Realist" in the Philippines, known for refining cubism in the Philippine context. He used a geometric fragmentation technique and intertwined social commentary with juxtaposing mythical and modern elements in his works. Some of his notable works are Gadgets I, Gadgets I, Diggers, Idols of the Third Eye, Facade, Ovary, Flora and Fauna, Triptych, Flight, Bayanihan, Struggle, Avenging Figure, Turning Point, Peace, The Survivor, and The Ritual
• Hernando Ocampo, a self-taught painter from Sta. Cruz, Manila, depicted the lush Philippine landscape, flora, and fauna in bold colors. He played a key role in sustaining the Philippine Art Gallery and his masterpiece "Genesis" inspired the design of CCP Main Theater's curtain. His major works include Ina ng Balon, Calvary, Slum Dwellers, Nude with Candle and Flower, Man and Carabao, Angel's Kiss, Palayok at Kalan, Ancestors, Isda at Manga, The Resurrection, Fifty-three Backdrop, and Fiesta
• Arturo Luz established the Luz Gallery, professionalizing the art gallery as an institution. His significant paintings include Bagong Taon, Vendador de Flores, Skipping Rope, Candle Vendors, Procession, Self-Portrait, Night Glows, Grand Finale, Cities of the Past, and Imaginary Landscapes. His mural painting Black and White is displayed in the lobby of CCP's Bulwagang Carlos V. Francisco (Little Theater), and his stainless steel cube sculpture is located in front of the Benguet Mining Corporation Building in Pasig
• Jose T. Joya pioneered abstract expressionism in the Philippines, creating an authentic Filipino abstract style inspired by Philippine landscapes. His harmonious color paintings and use of rice paper in collages emphasized transparency, a characteristic of folk art
• Benedicto Cabrera, from Malabon, is known as the best-selling painter of his generation in the Philippines. He introduced the scavenger figure "Sabel" as a symbol of dislocation, despair, and isolation in Philippine society
• Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, a painter and sculptor from Sta. Cruz, Manila, was known for his gestural paintings in acrylic and oil, as well as sketches in ink, watercolor, and pencil. He received a fellowship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after an exhibit at the Philippine Art Gallery
• Erico Aguilar Alcuaz: 'He is a painter and a sculptor from Sta. Cruz, Manila. An artist of voluminous output, he was known mainly for his gestural paintings in acrylic and oil, as well as sketches in ink, watercolor, and pencil'
• After his exhibit at Philippine Art Gallery, Erico Aguilar Alcuaz received a fellowship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Spain and proceeded to study at the Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid, where other Filipino expatriates like Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Fernando Amorsolo, Fabian dela Rosa and Jose Ma. Asuncion received a similar classical training
• Francisco Coching: 'Born in Buting, Pasig, Coching was acknowledged as the "King of Komiks" and "Dean of Filipino Illustrators." Starting his career in 1934, he was a central force in the formation of the popular art form of comics. He was a part of the golden age of the Filipino comics in the 50's and 60's. Until his early retirement in 1973, Coching mesmerized the comics-reading public as well as his fellow artists, cartoonists, and writers'
• Victorio Edades, known as the "Father of Modern Philippine Painting," grew up in Barrio Bolosan, Dagupan, Pangasinan. Unlike Amorsolo's cheerful hues, Edades' colors were dark and somber. His favorite subject matter are laborers, factory workers or the simple fold in all their dirt, sweat and grime. Among his works are The Sketch, The Artist and the Model, Portrait of the Professor, Japanese Girl, Mother and Daughter, The Wrestlers, and Poinsettia Girl
• Guillermo Tolentino, hailed as the "Father of Philippine Arts," was born in Malolos, Bulacan. His famous works include the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan, and the UP Oblation in Diliman, Quezon City. He also designed the gold and bronze medals for the Ramon Magsaysay Award and did the seal of the Republic of the Philippines
• Vicente Manansala, a cubist painter and illustrator from Macabebe, Pampanga, trained at Paris and at Otis School of Drawing in Los Angeles. His paintings are described as "visions of reality teetering on the edge of abstraction." Manansala believes that the beauty of art is in the process, in the moment of doing a particular painting, closely associating it with the act of making love. "The climax is just when it's really finished." His works include A Cluster of Nipa Hut, San Francisco Del Monte, Banaklaot, I Believe in God, Market Venders, Madonna of the Slums, Still Life with Green Guitar, Via Crucis, Whirr, Nude
• Carlos "Botong" Francisco, a poet from Angono, single-handedly revived the forgotten art of mural and was best known for his historical pieces. His major works include Portrait of Purita, The Invasion of Limahong, Serenade, Muslim Betrothal, Blood Compact, First Mass at Limasawa, The Martyrdom of Rizal, Bayanihan, Magpupukot, Fiesta, Bayanihan sa Bukid, and Sandugo
• J. Elizalde Navarro was born in Antique. A versatile artist, being both a proficient painter and sculptor, devotion to the visual arts spans 40 years of drawing, printmaking, graphic designing, painting, and sculpting. Three of his major mixed media works
• Artists from Region 6 - Western Visayas


  • J. Elizalde Navarro (1999)
• J. Elizalde Navarro was born in Antique
• J. Elizalde Navarro is a versatile artist proficient in painting and sculpting
• Major mixed media works by J. Elizalde Navarro


  • I'm Sorry Jesus
  • I Can't Attend Christmas This Year (1965)
  • Homage to Dodjie Laurel (1969: Ateneo Art Gallery collection)
  • A Flying Contraption for Mr. Icarus (1984:lopez museu)
• Artists from Region 7 - Central Visayas

  • Napoleon Abueva (1976)
• Napoleon Abueva is a native of Bohol
• Napoleon Abueva was considered as the "Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture"
• Napoleon Abueva is adept in academic representational style or modern abstract
• Materials used by Napoleon Abueva

  • Hard wood (molave, acacia, langka wood, ipil, kamagong, palm wood, bamboo), adobe, metal, stainless steel, cement, marble, bronze, iron, alabaster, coral, brass
• Major works by Napoleon Abueva


  • Kaganapan (1953)
  • Kiss of Judas (1955)
  • Thirty Pieces of Silver
  • The Transfiguration (1979)
  • Eternal Garden Memorial Park
  • UP Gateway (1967)
  • Nine Muses (1994)
  • UP Faculty Center
  • Sunburst (1994)-Peninsula Manila Hotel
  • Bronze figure of Teodoro M. Kalaw in front of National Library
  • Murals in marble at the National Heroes Shrine, Mt. Samat, Bataan
• Artists from Region 11 - Davao

  • Ang Kiukok
• Ang Kiukok was born in Davao City
• Ang Kiukok fused influences from cubism, surrealism, and expressionism in his style
• Subjects favored by Ang Kiukok


  • Fighting cocks, rabid dogs, people enraptured by rage
• Works by Ang Kiukok


  • Geometric Landscape (1969)
  • Pieta (bronze medal in the 1st International Art Exhibition held in Saigon, 1962)
  • Seated Figure (1979)
• Artists from Region 15 - Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao


  • Abdulmari Asia Imao (2006)
• Abdulmari Asia Imao is a native of Sulu
• Abdulmari Asia Imao is a sculptor, painter, photographer, ceramist, documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher, writer, and articulator of Philippine Muslim art and culture
• Abdulmari Asia Imao popularized indigenous ukkil, sarimanok, and naga motifs through his works
• Works by Abdulmari Asia Imao


  • Industry Brass Mural
  • Mural Relief in Filmmaking
  • Industrial Mural
  • Sulu Warriors
• Fashion Designers from Region 14 - Cordillera Administrative Region

  • Ramon Valera
• Ramon Valera was a fashion designer from Abra
• Ramon Valera's contribution lies in the tradition of excellence of his works and his commitment to his profession, performing magical seminal innovations on the Philippine terno